Top 5 Health Trends to Watch for in 2018

The projections of this year’s health trends have seemed to hold true so far…

The Ketogenic Diet

Many experts are saying the ketogenic diet was the most Googled nutrition term of 2017. This method of eating puts the body in a state of “ketosis,” where the body’s main fuel source comes from the burning of fat instead of carbohydrates. Although seen as a somewhat extreme eating plan, which all but eliminates carbs and focuses on high amounts of dietary fat and moderate amounts of protein, the results of being in a state of ketosis transcend fat loss and are reported to include enhanced energy, mental clarity and a drop in hunger. And who doesn’t want all of that? I can give up potatoes to achieve this zen-like state of keto-phoria. Can’t you?

According to paleo and keto pioneer and author Mark Sisson, it takes as little as 21 days to reprogram your metabolism to burn fat for fuel by ditching processed grains, sugars and refined vegetable oils in favor of nutrient-dense, high-fat foods. There are a number of websites, books, blogs and cookbooks to help you along the way. We like Sisson’s The Keto Reset Diet for its thorough explanation of why the keto diet works, tips for how to mentally prepare to do it and recipes to help you get started.

At-Home Fitness

While we believe there is (and likely always will be) the desire for bricks-and-mortar fitness destinations and group classes, 2018 is expected to bring a rise in at-home fitness options. Exercise movements such as CrossFit have enabled participants to set up a gym in their garage at home complete with Olympic lifting equipment and a number of other fitness doodads (kettlebells, ab mats and jump ropes) with minimal expense. The key benefit? Convenience. Additionally, smaller boutique studios are getting digitally savvy as well, offering online classes for members to take in the comfort of their own homes and whenever their schedules allow.

Factor in companies such as Peloton and Flywheel, which offer live streaming and on-demand classes from some of the world’s top instructors right to your exercise bike at home, and you don’t have to go anywhere. These bikes allow riders to decide when they take a class and who teaches it, while providing a group environment even though you may be riding alone.

Farm-to-Table Dining

Yes, the farm-to-table movement has been going quite strong in recent years — and 2018 shows no signs of slowing. In fact, Forbes Magazine reports that the USDA’s latest Census of Agriculture shows that the number of farmers under age 35 is increasing, which is only the second time that’s happened since 1900. The article goes on to say that younger, smarter farmers will bring us into a new era of agriculture. As has been the case for several years, restaurants — both high-end and casual — are proud to work directly with local farmers to use local ingredients whenever possible, many also modifying their menus based on what is in season in order to source local all year long. Taking a page from locally owned restaurants’ success, some major restaurant chains are even bringing local farms to our tables in a fast-casual setting. Franchises such as GrabbaGreen and Sweetgreen believe in a transparent supply chain and list clearly the farms their produce and meat are sourced from. Expect to see more food retailers get on board in 2018.

Mindfulness

The mind-body connection of today’s consumer is influencing the marketplace to become — and let its consumers know it is becoming — more conscious and aware of the environment. A recent Forbes article describes the mindfulness of 2018 as being more conscious and aware of the world around us. Companies are starting to pay more attention to waste and are creating campaigns for giving back as well as promoting mindfulness among their employees.

Major corporations from Google to Target offer their employees mindfulness courses. Participants in Google’s “Search Inside Yourself” program reported being calmer, more patient and better able to listen. The program was also reported to help employees better handle stress and defuse emotions. Target began offering mindfulness meditation training at the retailer’s Minneapolis headquarters, which is now open to all employees at multiple locations.

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